Esperance Coach Service (2024)

Keston Economics were engaged by Tourism WA to develop a feasibility study to investigate the prospects of establishing a local charter coach operation capable of servicing the Esperance cruise sector demand and wider town and/or visitor market. It is hoped that the study findings will attract a suitable operator.

Esperance, located approximately 700 kilometres from the state’s capital, Perth, is surrounded by stunning natural attractions that have been a key drawcard for cruise vessels and broader tourism market growth, reaching peak cruise visitation of 12 vessels and ~12,000 passengers in 2018/19. Whilst COVID-19 had a significant impact on the cruise sector between 2021 and 2023, it has been rapidly recovering in most destinations since.

However, due to the exit of Busy Blue Bus, Esperance lacks a shoreside coach service, which has restricted sector recovery. For the vessels that have arrived, coaches have been relocated from Albany or further field at great cost to Tourism WA. The costs, challenges and risks associated with relocation have directly resulted in hesitancy from cruise operators to resume Esperance experiences.

The study identified the economic implications  of cruise sector recovery and broader town charter operations, as well as capital requirements for coach service operations. Various options were investigated through a weighted criteria assessment and priority matrix approach, based on both qualitative and quantitative factors. Conclusions were drawn,  recommendations made, and an action plan defined.

Investigating the Production of Modular Homes in Albany (2023)

The aim of this scoping study was to investigate the feasibility for Advance Housing, a not-for-profit housing provider, to establish a new modular home building operation in Albany, WA. The study investigates the indicative costs and benefits of doing so, first to determine the viability of establishing any such operation at all, and if so, determining the best options for development.

The study explored the underlying market conditions, drivers and demand, including a target to first service the Advance Housing and Department of Communities joint waitlist, and then investigating the capacity to service the broader public sector market. The primary driver is to reduce the time to tenant occupancy when compared to conventional homebuilding (i.e. stick-build), which is becoming more and more constrained by contractor availability.

Various options were explored by manufacturing type, including 2D open panelised, hybrid closed panelised, and 3D volumetric production. They were compared to one another and to conventional approaches in terms of manufacturing capacity (output volume), development capacity (time and number of annual homes developed to full occupancy), capital development and equipment requirements, and operational value (i.e. by improving on current costs to Advance Housing and through any sales of excess stock).

Addressing Homelessness in the Great Southern (2018)

The aim of this scoping study was to investigate the feasibility of developing crisis accommodation facilities to service the at-risk population in and around the Great Southern, particularly in Albany, Plantagenet, Denmark and Katanning, which have the highest proportions of homelessness of the eleven regional local government areas.

To achieve this, comprehensive consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders and consumers to determine both where the greatest need exists and what type of facilities could be created to provide the most fundamental of human needs for the most vulnerable in our community - shelter. The ultimate aim was not to replicate existing stock-standard models of crisis accommodation, but to provide innovative new forms of accommodation and services which change the way homelessness is viewed and treated, and which can act as a showcase or best-practice model for future developments throughout Australia.  

Extensive qualitative and quantitative options assessment was used to prioritise land and development options. The feasibility study culminated with a set of recommendations and ‘next steps’ towards implementing projects in the short to medium-term. Many of the findings in the report have since fed other studies, business cases, and developments within the region.

South Coast Environment & Heritage Centre (2018)

South Coast Natural Resource Management engaged Keston Economics to explore a South Coast Environment and Heritage Centre (SCEHC), which would be a dedicated but multi-functional building, in an easily accessible and iconic location, linked to quality environmental and cultural/heritage assets, where the community and visitors alike can engage with the environment and meet with specialists and key stakeholders.

The objectives of the feasibility study were to build upon work allready undertaken, evaluating the overall need for the SCEHC (literature review and targeted consultations) and the viability of the project against identified success criteria and structural elements. Based on this analysis, recommendations were made of the likelihood of success and the process to move forward to the project funding and development stages.

Analysis & Scoping Study of the Great Southern Music Sector (2017)

The City of Albany in partnership with the Great Southern Development Commission commissioned this study to assist in understanding the current health of the sector, its cultural and economic impact to the region, key challenges, limitations, opportunities and potential areas for growth and development.

The Great Southern music sector was analysed through consultation, literature review and assessment. The analysis was broken down into the three categories; commercial, community and education. However, the three sectors are deeply intertwined and feed into each other. A strong music education and community sector feeds into the creation of a vibrant and healthy commercial music scene, just as a healthy commercial music scene feeds back into community and music education.

Overall, the study found that the sector appears to have deteriorated over the past decade. While relationship to place remained strong at the time of assessment, there had been a general decline in the availability of performance and rehearsal venues and accessible recording facilities had reduced. The nurturing of music had also declined, as had local philanthropist support. Nevertheless, the level of organised community activities remained high, particularly in the coastal Great Southern and there remained a high level of interaction between community musicians, music teachers and the broader community. Furthermore, a wide variety of opportunities were identified across the three sub-sectors to better harness the potential of music in the Great Southern. The report made several recommendations to capitalise on these opportunities.

Other Feasibility & Scoping Studies

Keston Economics and its sister company, Keston Technologies, have developed a great number of options analyses, feasibility studies, many of which have led to otpion selection, funding and development. Beyond the above examples, Keston's work has included, but is not limited to:

• Specialist disability accommodation for the Community Living Association
• Instrument Landing System at Albany Airport
• North Albany Football Club needs assessment and feasibility studies for stadium upgrades & collocation
• Katanning Country Club
• Katanning Early Childhood Hub
• Malting Plant development in the Great Southern
• Gnowangerup Community and Training Centre
• Kojonup Early Childhood Hub 
• Muchea Livestock Saleyards, on behalf of the WA Meat Industry Authority 
• Various other community sport and recreation facilities